Keith A. Riley

Keith A. Riley, age 84, of Birchwood, passed away at home on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Keith Albert Riley was born Sept. 29, 1925, in Menomonie, to Charles and Eula (Rogers) Riley. Keith graduated from Menomonie High School and spent three years in the Coast Guard during World War II where he served in the South Pacific. Upon his return, he attended UW-Stout.

He was married to Vivian M. Rotnem in 1947, and together they attended UW-River Falls, where he graduated with a degree in education.

They lived in Prairie Farm, where he taught and coached before moving to Hudson, where he was employed by Univac (now Unisys) in St. Paul, Minn., until his retirement in 1981. After his formal retirement, he volunteered at Hudson Memorial Hospital, providing transportation for the handicapped.

In 1994, they moved to Hot Springs Village, Ariz., where he lived for 16 years before moving back to Birchwood.

During his lifetime, he played basketball and baseball in high school and college, was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved a good game of golf and enjoyed playing his banjo and guitar. In later years, he took up woodcarving as a pastime. His greatest joy though, was spending time with his family.

Keith Riley is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vivian Riley of Birchwood; two daughters, Kathryn and husband, Jeff Hasen of Snohomish, and Jean and husband, Bob Walker of Park City, Utah; a sister, Eileen Arnold of Menomonie; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Martin; his parents, Charles and Eula Riley; and a sister, Lucille Spielman.

Memorial srvices will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood, with Rev. Paul Oman officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake.

The family requests memorials to the American Heart Association.